Reunion for the First Time (22 page)

He broke down again. “Please, Liz, can you come? We need you. I don’t know what I will do if anything happens to her.”

“You’re not going to lose anybody.”
Please God, let me be right
.
Watch over
Kay and her little ones.

“I’m on my way. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Let me call the airlines, and I’ll call you back to let you know when. Is anyone else there with you?”

“Our families are on their way.”

“Okay, hang in there. Kay will be just fine.”

“Thanks.”

Lizzie’s heart rate accelerated as she tried to overcome panic and take action.

Dear God it’s Christmas Eve. Please, please, please let me find a way to her.
She hoisted the heavy Chicago Yellow Pages directory off the shelf of her kitchen cabinet, but before she had a chance to locate any airlines numbers her phone rang.

“Elizabeth. It is Wallace.”

Shit
. “I don’t want to talk to you, goodbye.”

“Wait!” The phone was three inches from her ear already, but his yell got her attention.

“What? I have no time to talk,” she yelled into the phone.

“I know. I was at Mother’s when she got the call from Kay’s mom. I know you well enough to know you would be moving heaven and earth to get to Boston. Trying to get a flight on Christmas Eve will be impossible.”

“I know, but I have to try. Goodbye.”

“Go to Midway Airport. There is a chartered plane waiting for you.”

“What?”

“I called and chartered a plane for you. It is waiting. Hurry.”

Relief coursed through her, and she let out a rush of air realizing she had been holding her breath for the past few minutes.

“I don’t know why you did this, but thank you.” Then her adrenaline kicked in again. She had to move. “I’ve got to go.”

“No thanks needed. I do care for you, Elizabeth. Get to the airport. Kay needs you.”

Lizzie needed to stay connected with Mick, so she dialed his cell phone number as soon as the cab started rolling. There was nothing new he could tell her, but just hearing his voice helped her to stay grounded. He seemed calmer, but she fell apart after she hung up. Trembling all over, tears fell unchecked; she could easily slip into hysteria. Brushing the tears away with the back of her hand, she forced some control over her emotions. Mick needed her to be strong. Kay needed her to help him.

Settled in a cushioned, captain’s chair on the most luxurious plane she had ever seen, she dialed Mick’s cell again. Her third time. She told him she was on her way and that she would see him soon. A quick disconnection from Mick’s line, and then she dialed Jack’s phone. Jack. Just thinking his name was like being wrapped in a blanket to keep out this terrible, cold fear. It seemed like a long time since he had held her in his strong arms. The battery in her cell phone started to beep the ‘low bat’ signal. Just as his recording sounded, it died.

“Damn thing!” She threw the useless phone in her purse, longing to hear Jack’s voice. No choice but to wait and call him from the hospital because she didn’t remember to bring her charger with her.

Feeling like a rock star, she disembarked the plane when it came to its berth at Logan Airport, and climbed into a limo parked at the foot of the stairs. The car whisked her directly to Mass General.

****

Jack walked up the circular driveway in front of Beth’s building. Balancing two
Starbucks
cups on a cardboard tray, he swung a bag of scones whistling as he walked, not a care in the world because Beth loved him.

The words had resonated deep inside him, and he knew he loved her, too. He had never said those words to a woman before and was still amazed that he had. His world was bigger somehow, brighter. He didn’t think that he had it in him to love a woman exclusively and believe that she’d be faithful to him.

Jack had never understood why it was so hard for his dad and Charlie to go on with life after the loss of their wives. Now he understood how a man was helpless to do anything else but love his woman. His Beth.

In such a short time, she had become part of him, necessary as every breath. Loving her was worth the risk of losing her. He wanted her with him today and every day. Since he couldn’t wait until tonight to see her, an impromptu coffee delivery got him to her building.

Jack pushed through the revolving door as a little girl walked through the other side with a dog on the leash she held. Recognizing the little, wiggling terrier on the other end of the leash, he continued to follow the door around back outside.

“Excuse me. Isn’t that Marty?”

The little girl held the leash tighter. But Marty reacted to Jack’s voice. She wagged her nub tail, plopped down on the grass and offered her pink belly for a scratch.

“Marty knows me. I’m a friend of Miss Moran.”

“You know Lizzie?” The girl still looked wary. She started to inch back toward the door.

Darla, ever watchful inside, came out from behind the counter and through the revolving door.

“Mr. Clark, hello.”

“Hello, Darla. How are you today? I was just saying hi to Marty. Is Beth home?”

The little girl’s gaze darted back and forth between them.

“No, sir. She left in quite a hurry,” Darla advised him. “She had me call a cab for her, and she left over two hours ago.”

The little girl piped up. “She is going to be an aunt. She left for the hospital. She doesn’t know when she will be back, so I am going to take care of Marty for her.”

Jack crouched down and looked at the young girl at her eye level. “Well, that is a big responsibility.”

“My mom is helping me.” Marty pulled the girl closer as she tried to get pets from Jack.

“I’m sure Beth really appreciates the help.”

Jack waved goodbye as Marty tugged the little girl toward a walk.

Concern for Kay—since Beth had left in a hurry—had him calling his secretary at home. Even on Christmas Eve she assured him that everything would be ready for him when he arrived at the airport. What would he do without Eileen? Her salary would be making a nice jump in the New Year. He hailed a cab and headed to O’Hare airport knowing that by the time he got there, Eileen would have everything lined up.

His prepaid First Class ticket in hand, he waited fifteen minutes at the gate for his Boston-bound flight to board. Within an hour from leaving her building, he was on his way to meet Beth. He wondered why she hadn’t called to tell him the news. Probably forgot her phone again. Worry pinched him.
Please take care of Kay.

****

Lizzie ran through the hallways of the hospital to the bank of elevators. When the doors opened on the third floor, she rushed to the ob-gyn waiting room. Mick was slouched in a chair with his head in his hands on the other side of a glass window. His family surrounded him.

Her heart turned to ice. Bracing herself for bad news she shoved through the door. Mick saw her, jumped to his feet and enveloped her in a bear hug. She cried and trembled like him.

Clinging to him, Lizzie’s heart broke.

“It’s okay, Lizzie girl. Don’t cry. She’s going to be okay. You just missed the doctor. She’s going to pull through. It was touch and go, but she’s strong.”

“What about the babies?”

“Oh my God! I’m a daddy! You’re an aunt! We have two daughters. Noel Elizabeth and Merry Katherine came into the world about a half hour ago. I was with her during the C-section. Wait until you see them. Perfect. Two little Kays. I might be a little biased, but they are the most beautiful babies ever born.”

“Noel Elizabeth.”

“Yep, she’s named after her godmother.”

Lizzie’s tears rained down her cheeks. Her legs weakened, nearly buckled under her.

She heaved a relieved breath. “Noel and Merry. Born on Christmas Eve. The perfect Christmas presents. What happened? What about the hemorrhaging?”

A man in scrubs, bags under his eyes, came into the waiting room. “Mr. Lynch, your wife is being taken to her room now. Wait a few minutes, and then she can have visitors.”

“Thank you, doctor.” Mick pumped his hand. “I can’t thank you enough. Merry Christmas.”

“You’re welcome. Your daughters are in the nursery if you would like to show them off to their new family. Enjoy your double blessings.” The doctor’s gaze moved from Mick’s face to the family who listened with rapt attention. “Merry Christmas to all of you.”

Lizzie waited her turn to visit Kay. After the family had gone in, two at a time, Mick entered the waiting room and took her hand. “Come on Auntie Liz, Kay is asking for you.”

Shocked at how pale and fragile Kay appeared against the stark, white hospital sheets, she forced a cheery smile. Kay’s lips were blue, and she trembled under a pile of blankets.

Mick gave Lizzie’s hand an assuring squeeze. “The nurse told me the shakes and that bluish color are reactions to the anesthesia.” He nudged her toward the bed.

“Hey, Momma.” Lizzie reached toward Kay’s hands.

“Bella. So glad.” Kay’s ice-cold hand clasped Lizzie’s damp one. “Have you seen my girls?”

“No, I was waiting to see their momma first. Damn, you gave me a scare.”

“Scared, too, but so worth it,” Kay’s voice raspy, her speech slurry. “Poor Mick. My girls are so beautiful.” She burst into tears.

“What is it? Is something wrong? Are you in pain? Do you want me to get a nurse? Don’t cry.”

“Crazy. It’s OK. Happy tears.”

Lizzie squeezed Kay’s hand, tears welling. “I thought you might be looking for sympathy. This is a pretty lame way to get chocolate, if you ask me. Not this time. If anyone deserves chocolate this time, it’s me. Here I am at the birth of my nieces, and I was in such a rush to get here that I left my camera bag behind.” Her fear subsided and her heartbeat slowed down when Kay gently squeezed her hand back.

“I, the official photographer of this family, have to go to the hospital gift shop and purchase a disposable camera. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that will be for me? A lousy plastic camera is all I’ll have to photograph two of the world’s most important children. So, missy, it’s payback time. You owe me a giant box of Russell Stover. You’re too deprived in Boston without Fannie May.” She hoped humor would help Kay forget her pain as it helped Lizzie forget that she’d almost lost the only family she had. She couldn’t lose them again.

Kay laughed, more like a strangled chuckle. Her friend clutched her belly and winced but chuckled anyway. Lizzie leaned down and hugged her around IV tubes and buzzing machines. She didn’t want to let go.

“I don’t know what I would have done if anything happened to you.” The mere thought terrorized her.

Lizzie locked her gaze with Kay’s, and all that was between them spilled out in combined tears and laughter.

Mick chose that moment to come back into the room. “Oh boy. What’s going on here?”

“Get used to all the hormones, daddy. You’re outnumbered now.” Kay’s eyes shone.

Mick grinned, a look of pure adoration for Kay on his face.

Lizzie sensed their need to be alone. “I’ll be right outside, sweetie. Get some sleep. You’re both going to need it. It’s time that I made silly faces at Merry and Noel through the nursery window.”

She was exhausted, her feet like lead.
Fear had a way of draining everything.

I have to call Jack.

Missing him sorely she wanted to be in his arms again and have what Kay and Mick have. She wanted children.
Beth wants it all.

Closing the door behind her, Lizzie debated if she should see the twins or hunt down a phone. She walked toward the nursery scanning overhead signs hoping she’d find a payphone on the way.

Kay and Mick’s families clustered around the glass window and made appreciative noises at the babies’ every move. Wallace stood in the middle of the group, like a cactus in a flower garden, looking ill at ease. He gave her a hapless, crooked smile.

God, what is he doing here?

She forced a smile and approached the group.

Peering through the nursery window, she spied the twins and couldn’t help but grin.

Apparently she inadvertently encouraged Wallace to pipe up, “I’m not exactly in my comfort zone. This is not where I planned on spending Christmas Eve.”

“I’m sure Kay doesn’t expect you to be here,” Lizzie remarked through clenched teeth hoping he’d get the hint.

“Elizabeth…”

Lizzie cut him off, “I have to find a phone.”

“Going to call Jack Clark?” He sneered.

Lizzie rolled her eyes. “None of your business.” She stepped away from the window and surveyed the hall for a likely place for a payphone.

“Here use mine.” He strode over to her and handed her his BlackBerry.

“You can’t use cell phones in the hospital.” Lizzie held the phone toward him to return it.

“You can use it in that waiting room. I did and no one tried to stop me.”

Rules don’t apply to you, do they Wallace?
Anxious to connect with Jack she’d give Wallace some cash for the call. “OK, thanks. I’ll be right back.”

****

“Here you go.” Wallace accepted his phone from Elizabeth and shoved it in his coat pocket.

“Where did the family go?” She looked down the empty hallway.

“To Kay’s room I think.”

“OK. Take care, Wallace.” She turned her back on him and walked toward the elevator bank.

“Just a minute, Elizabeth. Aren’t you going to thank me for arranging your flight?”

Turning around, she advanced toward him, pursing her lips into a thin line. “Why did you?”

“An olive branch, Elizabeth. Have you forgotten how generous I am?”

“Why
yes I have,
” she replied with an insulting sarcastic tone in her voice.

He huffed. “You obviously don’t deserve my generosity.”

Hands on her hips she frowned. “How much do I owe you? I’ll write you a check now.”

The elevator doors behind her slid open. Jack Clark stood inside, head bent downward.

Wallace grabbed Elizabeth by the arms, yanked her toward him and plastered his mouth on hers, his arms locking her against his chest. He arched his back lifting her feet off the floor while he continued to glue his lips to hers, spearing his tongue into her mouth.